May 2025 4-H Newsletter

4-H Happenings

A monthly newsletter for Hancock County 4-H Members

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Table of Contents

Upcoming Dates| County News | Club News | State News | Leaders’ Meeting Minutes

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Upcoming Dates to Remember

May 7 – June Jamboree Registration Open to Enrolled 4-H Families
May 10 – Dairy Judging Contest/ESE Tryouts (See State News)
May 13 – 4-H Leader’s Meeting (6:30 pm)
May 17 – Hancock County Extension Open House (10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
May 19 – June Jamboree Registration Open to the Public
May 23 – Summer Learning Series Registration Opens
May 26 – Office Closed for Memorial Day
May 30 – Last Day to Register for June Jamboree
June 1 – First Day of Pride Month
June 5 – Market Lamb Intent to Sell at Fryburg Forms Due
June 13 + 14 – June Jamboree at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds!
June 30 – Animal Approval and Lease Forms Due in the Office

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County News

Hancock County Extension Open House

This month, the Extension office welcomes you to take part in our Extension Open House! Bring your friends and family, and spread the word in your communities! We’ll have information about 4-H, club fundraising, hands-on garden-themed activities, and more. Our Master Gardener Volunteers will also be hosting a seedling sale and worm composter raffle! 

Event Information

• When: May 17, 2025
• Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Where: 63 Boggy Brook Road, Ellsworth

June Jamboree

June Jamboree is back for another exciting weekend, and you’re invited! The 2025 June Jamboree will be held on June 13-14 at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds. Plan to camp with us on the fairgrounds on the 13th, and wake ready to participate in fun-filled workshops and activities on the 14th! Workshops will include hands-on crafts, engineering, and animal science. The “Anytime Science” and “Anytime Craft” tables will run between workshops all day on Saturday, June 14 – be sure to stop by to explore! Registration will open to enrolled 4-H members on May 7. Workshops are first come, first serve, so don’t delay! The public may begin registering on May 19. Registration closes May 30, so sign up now! 

State 4-H Speak Up Showcase

Hancock County never fails to make the 4-H staff proud, especially when it comes to public speaking! Three of our junior qualifying presenters joined us at the State 4-H Speak Up Showcase in early April and did an amazing job. Huge shout-outs to Annabelle, Kowen, and Arabella for participating, and a big thank you to all the volunteers and parents who represented Hancock County as well. We can’t wait to see you all back next year!

Style Revue

Gosh, are our 4-Hers talented or what!? For those of you who attended our 4-H Style Revue Showcase, you know the answer to that question. We want to share a big round of applause with all our youth who worked on projects for the event. Your sewing and crocheting skills are AMAZING! We cannot wait to see what else you’ll create down the line. Keep up the good work!

Thank you again to all the volunteers, parents, and mentors who helped these youth along the way. And an EXTRA special thank you to the HC Leaders’ Association for the evening snacks! 

 

4-H Aquaculture Adventures

This past month, our 4-H aquaculture CEA, Tess, visited a 4th-grade class at Searsport Elementary to teach about oyster farming. The newly developing oyster farm series introduced youth to what it is like to run an oyster farm by completing tasks such as building oyster cages and creating a sales pitch to market their product! They delved into financial decision-making and how to catch a customer’s eye with advertising. If this sounds like fun, check out Tess’ workshop offering at the upcoming June Jamboree! Last Friday, she participated in the Mini Courses event at Surry Elementary, where students got to design and build an oyster cage!

Hancock County 4-H Seasonal Compass

Discover the wonders of Maine’s changing seasons with the “Hancock County 4-H Seasonal Compass.”

Each month, we’ll focus on a different aspect of Maine’s seasonal cycle, engaging in activities that promote Head (learning and thinking), Heart (caring and relating), Hands (giving and working), and Health (living and being). From exploring winter wildlife to harvesting fall crops, there’s something for everyone!

 

 

 

 

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Club News

Pine Tree Pioneers: The Pine Tree Pioneers started their last meeting with a craft team-building exercise. The pioneers had to work together to craft the tallest structure they could out of straws and toothpicks. It was exciting to see the different ways the straws could be attached, and the members learned a lot from each other’s creativity!

After the warm-up, the club made its way outdoors to look for signs of spring! Armed with clipboards, a scavenger hunt list, and some special equipment for vernal pool exploration, the club hiked around and recorded their observations. To wrap up, members took some time to brainstorm other things they would like to do together. Cooking, gardening, sewing, and playing outside were some of the topics brainstormed, and may even be one of next month’s meeting activities! 

Service Squad: At our early April meeting, the Service Squad spent some time catching up on the previous meeting minutes. We recapped what our craft ideas were for the Extension Open House. We worked on figuring out the best craft to do and decided on egg carton mushrooms and seed bombs. After this, we tested out the egg carton mushroom craft to see what would work best for other kids to participate easily. At our next meeting, we will work on the best way to make the seed bombs.

At the most recent meeting, after a maze activity to jumpstart our team-centered brains, we determined how to make the seed bomb craft. We decided to do this craft with people at the open house since it was easier than the egg carton mushroom craft. We also planned our bake sale items. The squad decided to bake a GF option, along with other crowd favorite snacks. We will be using half of the funds to celebrate our teamwork, and the other half to save for future fundraisers. Make sure you stop by to see what the squad cooks up!

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State News

Save the Date – 4-H Summer Learning Series: This year, the 4-H Summer Learning Series will take place from July 7 to August 8. Volunteers and staff work together to provide high-quality, hands-on, experiential learning experiences via Zoom. For most workshops, materials are mailed to participants beforehand, making participation even easier (and less expensive)!  Workshops and Registration will go live on May 23, 2025. Information will be updated in early March for volunteers interested in presenting workshops. Sign up for updates on our website.

Maine Delegates Represented at National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C.: This April, three outstanding youth—Sabrinnah, Kaylee, and Kai—and a chaperone, traveled from Bangor to Washington, D.C., to represent Maine at the National 4-H Conference. Over six packed days, delegates from across the U.S. and its territories gathered for roundtable discussions, leadership development, cultural exchange, and connection with federal agencies. Highlights included the high-energy pin trade, a powerful multilingual recitation of the 4-H Pledge, and engaging presentations from collegiate facilitators. The Maine group quickly bonded with delegates from other states and territories, exchanging ideas, stories, and plenty of state-themed pins. Youth explored topics ranging from youth mental health to artificial intelligence and public land access.

The delegation also toured Washington’s historic monuments by night, danced with Coyaba Dance Theater performers, and visited both Maine senators’ offices on Capitol Hill. A behind-the-scenes Capitol tour, a walk through the U.S. Botanic Garden, and a brush with American history at the Smithsonian made for unforgettable memories. The week culminated in youth-led presentations to agencies including NASA, the CDC, the USDA, and the Pentagon, showcasing real-world applications of 4-H leadership. Wrapping up the conference, delegates attended a career expo at the Smithsonian and a celebration dance where music, laughter, and new friendships filled the ballroom. From pin trading to policy discussions, Maine’s 4-H youth made a lasting impression and returned home inspired, empowered, and eager to share their experiences.

National 4-H Conference is one of several different opportunities Maine 4-H Members have to travel around the country and represent Maine on the national stage. Learn about applying for National 4-H Conference and Congress.

Skip the Stress – Get Into College with 4-H Direct Admissions: Great news for Maine 4-H high school juniors and seniors: applying to college just got a whole lot easier. With 4-H Direct Admissions, you can be automatically considered for admission to all seven of Maine’s Public Universities—no Common App, no test scores, no essays, no recommendations, and no application fees required!

If you’re enrolled in any 4-H program in Maine, you’re eligible. Just click to opt in, and we’ll take care of the rest. This is your future—made simple. #BeyondReady

• Click here to opt in. We will do the rest!
• Click here to learn more about 4-H Direct Admissions!

Save the Date – 4-H Sheep and Goat Clinic: Maine 4-H is hosting a sheep and goat clinic on June 8th! Join us at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds for a day of hands-on learning. Workshops will be for both new and experienced project members, and you don’t need an animal to participate. Registration details will be available soon.  

Maine 4-H Days Update: We want to let you know that Maine 4-H Days will not be held in 2025. While we know this event is a cherished tradition for many, we’re taking this time to restructure and reinvent the experience to better serve our 4-H community in the future.

Our goal is to create an event that is more engaging, inclusive, and aligned with the evolving needs and interests of Maine youth and families. We appreciate your patience and continued support as we work behind the scenes to reimagine what Maine 4-H Days can be. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to share your ideas—we’re excited for what’s ahead!

Make Your Voice Heard – 4-H Annual Index Survey Now Open: We’re inviting youth ages 12–18 to take part in the National 4-H Annual Index Survey—a brief, 8-minute survey that helps measure the impact of 4-H across the country. By participating, your child’s voice will help shape the future of 4-H in Maine and beyond.

Survey Deadline: June 30, 2025
Take the survey here: https://4hcouncil.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_envLlXgHZyRJGXs

By submitting the survey, you’re giving permission for your child to participate. Youth can choose to stop the survey at any time. Let’s make sure Maine youth are represented—thank you for supporting this important effort!

Maine Summer Transportation Institute (MSTI): MSTI is a FREE residential camp offered at the University of Maine for current 6th – 8th graders from July 6 – 11, 2025.  The camp focuses on transportation-related activities and fields.  MSTI is a week-long residential program to allow students from all over the state to participate.

This includes space, roads and bridges, ports, air, and environmental impacts. Activities include building rockets, cars, and bridges; field trips to the Bangor International Airport, Cole Transportation Museum, and Maine Maritime Academy; participating in shows from the Planetarium and the Physics Roadshow; 3D-printing activity (including a tour of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center to see the World’s largest 3D-Printer and the 3D-printed house); Soil/erosion and surveying activities; a Touch-a-truck event, and more. (Activities are subject to change based on weather and availability of funds.) Additionally, students will learn about the different career opportunities within the transportation field, including engineers (environmental, geotechnical, civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.), technicians, communications and media, human resources, and so much more.

Visit the MSTI website for more information about the program and registration. Applications will be accepted through May 23, 2025.

2025 UMass 4-H Cattle Academy: Registration for the 2025 UMASS 4-H Cattle Academy is now open! This event will take place from June 20-22 at the Three County Fairgrounds, Northampton, MA. Youth who have a beef, dairy, or working steer project or are thinking about trying out a cattle project are invited to experience hands-on learning in washing, fitting, clipping, showmanship, and more! Please register by June 1, 2025. See you at the academy!

Fryeburg Fair 4-H Market Lamb Intents Due June 5th: Intent forms for Fryeburg Fair market lambs are now available online. Market Lambs must be owned and in possession of a 4-H’er by June 1, 2025, and must be a castrated male. In order to be eligible for participation, 4-H members must meet the following requirements:

• Send Intent to Sell Form, original bill of sale/value of lamb statement, and pictures of your animal (front and side view) to your county office by June 5th.
• Animal approval forms for lambs must include the scrapie tag number and list “Fryeburg Sale” as the show class.
• Additional requirements as well as the fillable online form can be found online at extension.umaine.edu/4h/fryeburg-fair-regulations-for-market-steers-and-market-lambs/.

For more information please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971; sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or the State 4-H Office at 207.581.3877.

2025 ESE Working Steer Information: The 2025 4-H ESE Working Steer Tryout information as well as updated team information can be found online at extension.umaine.edu/4h/working-steer/. New this year are ESE Working Steer Intent forms, updated tryout requirements, team apprentice guidelines, and volunteer interest forms. If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Arsenault, ESE coordinator, at maineworkingsteer@gmail.com; 207-592-3320 or Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971.

Smithsonian 4-History Project and 4-H Youth Have A Voice: We currently have openings for the Smithsonian 4-History Project as part of the 4-H program Youth Have A Voice. In this project, 4-H’ers will conduct research and interviews to learn more about their community and share their findings through a video project with support from 4-H leaders and the Smithsonian team. The project will last from August 2025 to March 2026.

Additionally, we have openings in the “traditional” 4-H Youth Have a Voice program for Maine teens (14 -19 years old or entering high school in the fall) who are interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country. Participants will learn leadership skills and ways to take part in civic action by completing a service project in a topic of their interest. Topics can range from agriculture, aquaculture, STEM education, animal care, renewable energies, disaster preparation, environmental conservation, food security, and more.

Interested teens should be ready to work both independently and with groups of peers and adults. High school teens can register for the program by completing a non-competitive application found on the program webpage. A three credit Early College course at UMaine in leadership development may also be available for interested students.

If you have any questions, please free to contact Andrew Hudacs, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, (207) 581-8204, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu.

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Leaders’ Meeting Minutes

Hancock County Leaders’ Association Meeting on April 8, 2025

Attendees: Lisa Carney, Terry Swazey, Leah McCluskey, Andrea Mahoney, Elaine Gokey, Lee Sargent, Joannie Jodrey

Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports:

• Secretary’s Report – A motion to accept the report as written in the March Newsletter; seconded and approved.
• Treasurer’s Report – A motion was made to accept the report as read by Terry for March; seconded and approved.

Club Reports:

• Horse of Course – The club learned how to make badges, and learned parts of the horse. They will be going to Lee’s to interact with Chubs.
• The Service Squad – Brainstorming for the open house.
• Pine Tree Pioneers – Did an outdoor spring scavenger hunt and vernal pool exploration.
• Jolly Juniors – Did different stations, started May Baskets, and worked in Project Records. Roadside cleanup will probably happen near the end of April.
• Home Sweet Farm – They would like to do some field trips this summer. Any ideas for other locations they might be able to meet?

Old Business:

• Extension Open House on May 17th in the afternoon. Service Squad will do a bake sale, the Master Gardeners will be having a workshop, if the 4-H Leaders want to run a workshop they would be much appreciated, contact Sue for more info.
• Need to finish planning the Style Review. They will need decor. Theme for this year?
  • Leah and Andrea will figure out potential themes for this year.

New Business:

• June Jamboree – have a couple of presenter forms sent back, but if you are doing a workshop remember to send yours back in ASAP. Leah will send out the email again. 
• Need a Jamboree committee meeting in April, Leah will email potential dates. 
• Investing – notes in our Google drive. The Maine 4-H Foundation has 4 investment managing companies that they invest through Harpswell Capital. We would need to raise ~$15,000 if we wanted to give out one $1500 scholarship each year. Do we want to keep money at the Foundation? Do we want to raise more money for scholarships? We should form a committee. 
• Scholarships – Two scholarship applications have been submitted. Perhaps Mary Jude could judge again. 
• Two 4-Hers going to camp this year. They will get office scholarships, do we want to get Leaders’ Association scholarships? Motion to give $100 E for day camp and $200 for L for overnight camp. Motion seconded and approved.

Office Business:

• The Shaw Institute focuses on marine research. They have a new 200 gallon tank opening on April 16th in Blue Hill. If any clubs are interested in attending!
• Touch tanks will be very busy!
• Leah is going to a conference down in Portland next week. 
• May 8th is the annual meeting for the Maine 4-H Foundation. Leah will be there with the touch tank. Does anyone else plan to come?
• Paper clover fundraiser will be starting April 18th and ending May 5th.

Motion to adjourn at 7:40 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Lisa Carney, Secretary